This is a word problem question that has to be solved using cramers rule At a college basketball game, student tickets cost 12 dollars each, adult tickets cost 16 dollars each and childrens tickets cost 7 dollars each. Four times as many adult tickets as children tickets were sold, the total number of childrens tickets and adult tickets was half the number of student tickets. The total number of tickets sales was 33,043 dollars. How many of each type of ticket was sold? Let x = the number of student tickets Let y = the number of adult tickets Let z = the number of children's tickets >>...Four times as many adult tickets as children tickets were sold,..<< y = 4z >>...the total number of childrens tickets and adult tickets was half the number of student tickets...<< z + y = (1/2)S >>...student tickets cost 12 dollars each, adult tickets cost 16 dollars each and childrens tickets cost 7 dollars each...<< >>...The total number of tickets sales was 33,043 dollars...<< 12x + 16y + 7z = 33043 So you have the system: y = 4z z + y = (1/2)S 12x + 16y + 7z = 33043 Now we have to rewrite the system so it can be solved by Cramer's rule. Rewrite the first equation as 0x + 1y - 4z = 0 Clear the second of fractions by multiplying through by 2 2z + 2y = x then rewrite as -1x + 2y + 2z = 0 Leave the third one as it is, namely 12x + 16y + 7z = 33043 So the system we have to solve is 0x + 1y - 4z = 0 -1x + 2y + 2z = 0 12x + 16y + 7z = 33043 The system must be lined up like the above to be solveable by Cramer's rule. Form 4 determinants, D, Dx, Dy, and Dz To form D, just write all the coefficients down left of the equal signs, like this: | 0 1 -4| D = |-1 2 2| |12 16 7| Now we will proceed to construct Dx, Dy and Dz from D Notice that D does not contain the column of constants to the right of the equal sign in the system, which is: 0 0 33043 but Dx, Dy, and Dz will all contain it. Let's call this column the "column of constants". x is the FIRST unknown, so replace only the FIRST column of D with the column of constants, and we have | 0 1 -4| Dx = | 0 2 2| |33043 16 7| y is the SECOND unknown, so replace only the SECOND column of D with the column of constants, and we have | 0 0 -4| Dy = |-1 0 2| |12 33043 7| z is the THIRD unknown, so replace only the THIRD column of D with the column of constants, and we have | 0 1 0| Dz = |-1 2 0| |12 16 33043| Do you know how to eveluate 3 by 3 determinants? If you don't repost asking how to eveluate a 3 by 3 determinant and we'll show you how. I will assume you already know how. | 0 1 -4| D = |-1 2 2| = 191 |12 16 7| | 0 1 -4| Dx = | 0 2 2| = 330430 |33043 16 7| | 0 0 -4| Dy = |-1 0 2| = 132172 |12 33043 7| | 0 1 0| Dz = |-1 2 0| = 33043 |12 16 33043| Now the formulas for x, y and z are x = Dx/D, y = Dy/D, and z = Dz/D -------------------------------- x = Dx/D = 330430/191 = 1730 y = Dy/D = 132172/191 = 692 z = Dz/D = 33043/192 = 173 Edwin